Ontario’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Reborn: AC Launches AC:Studio Cohorts to Power Ontario-made Solutions to the World’s Biggest Challenges

February 12, 2025 — Waterloo, ON — The Accelerator Centre (AC) is pleased to announce the launch of the UN Sustainable Development Cohorts of the AC:Studio program, supported by $3.9M in funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). This new initiative will support 46 early-stage startups focused on sustainable technologies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing key global challenges while contributing to regional economic growth.

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable future. “By aligning our program with the SDGs, we are not only nurturing innovative technologies, but also ensuring that our startups contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges in areas like clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and inclusive economic growth,” said Ruth Casselman, CEO of the AC. “This focus is essential as we drive progress that benefits both our local communities and the global ecosystem.”

Working in close collaboration with WEtech Alliance, SnapPea Design, and Conestoga College's Gig Lab, the program offers a dynamic suite of resources, including:

• Up to $100,000 in non-repayable contributions

• One-to-one mentorship from our team of in-house and specialist advisors

• Tactical support in product development, marketing, UI/UX, and more from industry experts and experienced startup builders

Additionally, the AC will partner with CarbonGraph, an alumnus of cohort 1 of the program, to help founders develop frameworks to measure the impact of their ventures on the planet.

Building on the success of our inaugural program—which supported 100 startups and generated over 400 jobs—the new cohort is designed to accelerate the growth of ventures that are not only economically promising but also aligned with global sustainability priorities. This integrated approach ensures that southern Ontario remains at the forefront of innovation, building a robust pipeline of businesses that can make a lasting impact both regionally and globally.

Applications for the program will open on April 30, 2025.

For more information and to sign up for notifications when applications open, please visit the AC’s website or www.ac-studio.ca.

Quotes:

“To protect our local economies and increase the capacity of local supply chains, we need to support homegrown solutions that drive innovation, create good-paying jobs for Canadians, and tackle climate change. Today’s investments highlight the Government of Canada’s continued commitment to driving innovation and sustainable growth across key sectors, ensuring that Canadian solutions lead the way.” – The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

"Our commitment to reinvigorating Ontario's entrepreneurial spirit has never been more critical. A recent report by the Business Development Bank of Canada highlights a concerning trend: there are fewer entrepreneurs today than there were a decade ago. This decline threatens not only our local economic growth but also our ability to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The continuation of the AC:Studio program represents a critical pathway for startups to build innovative, impactful businesses right here in Ontario. Through this program, we are empowering entrepreneurs to develop solutions in cleantech, electric vehicles, agri-tech, and sustainability, ensuring that our region remains a global leader in solving some of the biggest challenges of our time." – Ruth Casselman, CEO, Accelerator Centre

"The Accelerator Centre continues to set the standard for high-impact programming that propels early-stage startups toward success. With this renewed partnership, we are eager to build on the momentum of the first AC:Studio cohort, extending world-class support, funding, and networks to even more bold and innovative founders. This next phase offers an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs across southern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, to develop transformative solutions that drive clean economic growth, advance global sustainability goals, and strengthen Canada’s innovation economy." – Yvonne Pilon, President/CEO, WEtech Alliance

"At Conestoga, we believe that empowering entrepreneurial talent is key to building a more sustainable and innovative future. Our continued collaboration with the AC:Studio program will equip early-stage startups with the resources and support needed to develop transformative solutions for both local and global challenges. Through the Gig Lab and Gig Marketplace platform, Conestoga freelancers deliver industry-level services in areas such as marketing, web design and software development, helping startups accelerate their journey to market." - Rose Mastnak, Director of the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective

“At SnapPea Design, we know that finding product-market fit is one of the biggest challenges early-stage founders face. That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with the Accelerator Centre on AC:Studio—bringing together funding, mentorship, and hands-on tactical support to help startups move from idea to scalable business faster. The AC’s commitment to doubling down on high-potential companies aligns perfectly with our approach to building world-class ventures, and we’re thrilled to support founders in turning their innovations into market-ready solutions.” — Steve Fyke, CEO, SnapPea Design

“Understanding and measuring environmental impact towards meeting reduction roadmap goals is becoming a critical factor in building a successful, scalable business. Through our partnership with the AC and AC:Studio, we’re excited to help founders integrate sustainability into their business models from day one. By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we’re ensuring that startups in the program not only achieve product-market fit but do so in a way that drives positive environmental and social impact." — Ty Wang, CEO, CarbonGraph

About the Accelerator Centre

At the AC, we exist to help ambitious dreamers impact global change through their businesses. The AC is ranked Canada’s #1 private business accelerator and is among the top five such organizations globally. We offer an extensive selection of customizable opportunities for startups across Canada—allowing founders to rapidly bring their innovation to life. We work with our global partners to bolster the innovation ecosystem in Waterloo and beyond.

About FedDev Ontario

For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective

The Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective is dedicated to incubating entrepreneurial potential, equipping members of the Conestoga College community with the skills, strategies, and attitudes to create opportunities that will contribute to the economic development of local, regional, and international communities. Programming includes the Venture Lab universal business incubator, the Sales Lab incubator for high-tech sales careers, and the Gig Lab, Canada’s first business incubator for freelancers.

SnapPea Design

SnapPea is a dynamic product and service design firm that partners with clients to transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Specializing in both physical and digital product development, SnapPea offers a comprehensive suite of services, including product and service design, digital marketing, and venture support. Their team of designers, engineers, marketers, and strategists collaborates closely with clients to ensure each project is tailored to specific needs, fostering seamless collaboration and active iteration throughout the development process. With a commitment to transparency, curiosity, and humility, SnapPea has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results across various industries.

About WEtech Alliance

About WEtech Alliance WEtech Alliance is one of 17 Regional Innovation Centres funded by the Government of Ontario, serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. They provide entrepreneurs with business services, training, commercialization and IP support, mentorship, and strategic connections to help bring new ideas to market, scale to the next level and build a dynamic culture and a community of innovation. WEtech Alliance has served as the catalyst for technology and innovation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions since 2011.

About CarbonGraph

CarbonGraph is a Canadian company that provides a platform enabling businesses to calculate, share, and mitigate the carbon emissions of their products throughout the entire value chain. Their tools assist companies in analyzing a product's life cycle—from raw materials to disposal—to identify environmental impacts and opportunities for sustainable improvements. Founded in 2021, CarbonGraph is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company has developed software that integrates multiple data sources to assess the overall carbon footprint of consumer products from 'cradle-to-gate'.

Media Contacts

Tabatha Laverty
Vice President, Marketing and External Relations
Accelerator Centre
[email protected]

Cindy Caturao
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
[email protected]